Age: 82
Sex: Female
Sexual Orientation: Heterosexual
Weyr: Western Weyr
Rider Rank: Wingrider [Star Flame]
Previous Rank/Craft: JM Harper - Cartographer/Illustrator
Physical Description:
A petite woman, whose slender, 5’2 frame stands in a willowy testament to the effects of time on gracious beauty; Arkhesia is a lovely lady on the verge of entering the spring Turns of middle age. There is a lean amount of muscle on long limbs, smattered by freckles and pale scars from her adventures across Pern. Long legs, combined with the gentle pace she sets more often than not, gives her gait a flowing quality.
Her heart-shaped face is framed by just-below-shoulder length waves of a soft, burnished copper, which have been threaded with silver over the Turns. Ark has a rather rounded nose, prone to burning and full of freckles, which spread across her rosy, dimpled cheeks. Her smile, enhanced by delicate, bow-shaped lips of pale pink, brings a sunny light to her face even in the coldest, darkest of times. She is quite fair-skinned. Large, round eyes are a deep blue, and little aging crinkles line the edges.
With a dress sense that leans towards the practical and mundane, Arkhesia doesn’t go out of her way to stand out. Sure, for Gathers or Feasts, she might find a nice blouse and a ruffled skirt, but she is a woman who dons her leathers with pride. Work- be it cataloguing flora in her spare time, or drilling for Fall- comes first, and for that the practical is more than sufficient. Her prized possession is a small green brooch, shaped like a dragon, gifted to her by her mother after her Impression. She carries it on her at all times, as a good luck charm.
Personality:
Not all appearances are deceiving, and such is the case of Arkhesia: she is a genuinely tender soul with a kind heart and a sunny disposition. She has a little bit of a genial grandmother look about her- as like to spring cookies on some unsuspecting passersby as to spring upon her dragon and prepare for Threadfall. Ark possesses that quintessential goodness that naturally endears her to others: she is absolutely no threat to anybody whatsoever, which is exactly the way she likes it.
Despite Turns of of maturity and experience, Arkhesia lives her life in the belief that people are naturally wholesome and good. Naive to her very core, she trusts everyone she meets. Woe befall those who do shatter that illusion! Not from her, for she would never dare speak or do anything badly against another; but Sihrseth won’t stand for it. Don’t hurt her rider. Don’t even think insulting things about her rider. Arkhesia is the kind of woman who depends on the kindness and goodness of others- for she cannot survive in a world where others do not treat her the way she treats them. It’s just unthinkable.
Ark is not a hapless, helpless little old lady though. She is used to living rugged, surviving on the land and making do with what little is available to her. For a few decades, she only had herself and Sihrseth for company, and loved almost every moment of it. Though she has a stable sense of self and a good amount of self-esteem, she can’t shake the feeling that people don’t quite understand her. Or maybe she doesn’t understand them? It’s just so complicated sometimes. Yes, being alone is much simpler- plants and maps don’t talk back, you see. Given the choice in conversation, she would rather sit back, drink tea, and listen or watch as others gossip or debate things. She’s the kind of woman who would rather let her actions speak for her. Ark also has many stories to share- but none that she will boast about; the same cannot be said for Sihrseth, who will embellish any tale, often pushing her rider to share their anecdotes with others.
She is a bright, vivacious lady with an endless curiosity in the world around her. She has spent many, many Turns charting Pern to the best of her abilities, and performing odd jobs in exchange for food and shelter when needed. She has a quiet, worldly air about her that gives her the appearance of being wise- which she is, for the most part. Drama and politics, she doesn’t understand all too well- but she has good problem-solving abilities, and is surprisingly resourceful. With a wellspring of life experiences to draw from, Arkhesia never struggles for a solution, even if she must turn on the quirky-creative in doing so.
Sweet, intuitive and compassionate, Arkhesia goes out of her way to help make a positive difference in someone’s day. Though she understands the need to feel emotion, she doesn’t like seeing others sad, and will attempt to help them to the best of her efforts. She is respectful of boundaries, and will not pry, but is more than happy to offer her ears if need be. For the most part, she makes sure not to stand out too much, to simply be a pillar others may lean on in times of need.
Despite her wanderlust and desire to see the world, Arkhesia dislikes being placed in danger, and internalises a great deal of fretting that she hides behind a mask of serenity. She has a great deal of nerves when it comes to Threadfall- even after so many Turns of being a rider. She is afraid of risking herself emotionally, too, and can seem a little distant- especially in matters of the heart. She is the type of woman to dip her toe into the water and decide that it’s just not worth the risk. Ark relies heavily on Sihrseth’s presence to soothe her fractious nerves, and for an extra dose of courage: she understands her duty to Pern- but it doesn’t make facing death an easier thing.
Positive Trait List Self-reliant - Tender-hearted - Sunny
Negative Trait List Naive - Worryguts - Passive
History:
Born in Southern Boll to Aerysa, a Journeyman weaver, and Telken, a blacksmith, Ark was a much beloved only-child due to complications following her birth. She had an idyllic childhood. She was quiet as a youngster, but not teased or ostracised. She had a few close friends and developed a love for her little world- especially plants. When she was old enough to apprentice, her parents gave her her leave to choose something of her own desire- there was no pressure to follow in their footsteps.
Her handwriting and artistic skills drew the Harper’s eye, and she was encouraged to pursue the Harpercraft if she wanted to keep improving in her art. Arkhesia moved to Fort Harper Hall. It took her a few months to adjust to the total lifestyle change, and she acclimatised well to her more scribe-like duties. Once again, easy friendships were forged, though she found herself drawn to the charm of the natural world more so than the people who inhabited it. She walked the tables at eighteen, and received her first posting to a minor Hold in Fort territories, where she taught holdbrats and continued a personal project of cataloguing local flora.
Though approached by suitors, Arkhesia did not feel especially pressured to settle down. Her parents were happy with her choice and craft progress, and she considered taking a posting at Southern Boll to be closer to them. At age twenty-six, she was invited to attend a hatching at Ista Weyr by an aging Weyrwoman, who wanted her dragon’s supposedly last clutch immortalised in sketches. Ark was thrilled to oblige- it felt like a huge honour to be personally called upon by such an important lady.
Her life changed during this hatching, for as she sketched furiously, eyes dancing over the twelve eggs, a gentle, impatient mind poked her thoughts. That’s a nice doodle! Mind if I take a look? And suddenly, her lap was filled with a comically large dragon head, rainbow eyes staring up into her own blue. What? Is there a piece of eggshell on my face? Oh, I’m Sihrseth, by the way.
Ark reeled, as their two minds collided and bound themselves to each other. Nothing would ever be the same again. She hadn’t realised what had been missing from her life- until that moment, when Sihrseth filled every empty corner, pushing all of her secret dreams and desires to the forefront of her mind. There was a whole world out there, waiting to be seen! A whole sky to touch! There was so much for them to do! Oh, and it would be amazing!
So, from soft Harper to weyrling, to rider, Ark’s journeys with Sihrseth filled the pages of personal diaries. Some stories were recounted in letters to her parents, who were, at first, surprised to learn of her abrupt career change- then delighted, for who could be happier or prouder than parents seeing their child happy and fulfilled? The much beloved brooch was given and then guarded, still kept on Ark’s person to this day.
The pair flourished- Arkhesia coming into her own as an independent, strong-willed young woman, and Sihrseth learning how to manage authority and structure without losing her fierce individuality in the process. Sure, there was only a skeleton crew stationed at Igen, but the twelve months of weyrlinghood reinforced an idea of structure in their lives, and taught them the essentials of being dragon and rider together.
As soon as they were able to, they left the confines of the Weyr and ventured out across Pern. Ark wasn’t truly a Harper anymore- not officially, at any rate, but neither did they have a desire to tie themselves to the traditional High Reaches. The Southern continent was tempting, and they made some forays into the tropical jungles, using Monaco Bay as a base of operations. They made frequent returns to Southern Boll, so that Ark could visit her parents, and continued to travel, Sihrseth loving every moment of adventure, and Arkhesia taking her time to document her findings on the world around them.
In her mid-fifties, Aerysa and Telken proposed venturing westward and establishing a new cothold of their own, with a few other interested families. Having a dragonrider to help would make the whole project infinitely easier, and Ark could not refuse. Even Sihrseth revelled at the prospect of exploring a whole new continent- and that just sealed the deal for the young woman.
They spent a couple of Turns helping her parents with the logistics of establishing a cothold, offering protection in negotiations with those who might wish to encroach upon their small piece of land. Technically, they were beholden to Whitecliff Weyrhold- producing jewellery, fine clothing and ornate metal pieces- but were far enough removed from civilisation to feel truly alone and isolated. The greenpair used the cothold as yet another starting point in their adventures.
One such day brought a rain of silver on the horizon, and Sihrseth’s eyes turned red with savage anger. Ark recognised the devastating Thread from the Harper stories she had curated. They winked Between, returning to the cothold in the time it takes to cough thrice, and ordered everyone aboard. They fled to Western with the cotholds inhabitants, and a few of their most prized possessions, as Thread fell.
There was no more cothold after that. Thread had ruined it.
But Ark’s folks were alive- and the families that had come along were alive too- mostly extended family members, and some more adventuresome crafters. She delivered them to Western Hold, where they live to this day.
As for Ark and Sihrseth, well… with the return of Thread, they integrated Western Weyr and its fighting Wings, willing- or with some hesitation, in Ark’s case- to put their lives on the line to defend Pern.
Other: A keen eye for detail and an amazing hand for illustration spurred Ark to pursue cartography, amongst other things. She has a passion for illustrating books on Pernese plant-life. The pair’s weyr contains diaries and journals, both of their lives and research Ark has conducted.
DRAGON
Name: Sihrseth
Age: 56
Color: Green
Size: 26’
Clutch Information:
Ista Weyr
3519.05.24
Shonuth x Zhogath
23 Eggs
1 gold / 2/3 bronzes / 2/4 browns / 4/8 blues / 3/7 greens
Named dragons:
Arkhesia of Green Sihrseth {Western Weyr}
3519.05.24
Shonuth x Zhogath
23 Eggs
1 gold / 2/3 bronzes / 2/4 browns / 4/8 blues / 3/7 greens
Named dragons:
Arkhesia of Green Sihrseth {Western Weyr}
Physical Description:
A stocky creature, well-built, but with a penchant for speed and acrobatic tricks. Her head is a touch larger than average, with shorter headknobs that curl ever so slightly. Sihrseth is a force of nature, and quite restless to boot. She has a tendency to fidget and huff a little if required to sit still.
Personality:
Hot-headed, impetuous and entirely devoted to her and her rider’s desires, Sihrseth may, at first, seem quite unreliable and unruly. She needs a firm, guiding hand to put her in line with her fellow fighting dragons- and Ark is the right woman for the job. Her gentle scolding and soft warmth has a way of cutting through Sihrseth’s most passionate heat, reaching a logical, reasonable part deep inside that folds to her rider’s will. Sihrseth is passionate and excitable, yes, but she is not completely without reason. She respects those who earn her approval and loyalty- and nobody is more marvellous than her Arkhesia.
Though labelled rebellious and possibly even trouble-making, Sihrseth has a good heart and great devotion to her duty. She does not like tradition in any sense of the word- and believes herself perfectly equal to any other dragon, both in competence and power. Why should a Queen outrank her, just because she might clutch shiny little eggs? Why- has that Queen seen all of Pern? Has that Queen fought off evil furry creatures in the dead of night? Tricksy little things that tried to eat her rider? No. Exactly. That Queen can’t breathe fire. That bronze isn’t as fast. That blue only wished it was as good as her at aiming. Sihrseth isn’t conceited so much as surly and very independent. She can do anything she sets her mind to, all right?
She is a wily lover, and may struggle to settle on a single mate for a lifetime. She likes the spiciness of change and the temptation of ‘new’. Sihrseth is drawn to the more adventurous and bold, preferring a dragon who will match both her temper and wit. She can be sassy and blunt, but mostly she’s just headstrong, and takes a little bit of time adjusting to new company. Like her rider, she prefers very little company, content with Ark until she draws her last.
With a sweet, child-like passion for stories (especially heroic tales of adventure), Sihrseth is a creative, free-spirited kind of dragon who will very rarely settle down. She can be a little judgemental of her slower, more ponderous kin, but in her hearts she truly wants to see a united and safe Pern- where everyone is free to be who they really are, and not have to follow the path walked by others. She won’t speak harshly of them- at least, not to their faces. She might complain a little bit to Ark, but Sihrseth knows she has to toe the line. It’s the only way to save the world, right?
Dragon Art or Proof of Obtainment: [western contest]
